NJ tuition in state at Rutgers and most of the schools run about $13,000 for a full year. I think full costs you see on the websites end up being higher than what you actually pay. I know many kids at Rowan (my own included), Ramapo and Rutgers and none pay over $30k/year. Engineering may be a bit higher, but he would likely get at least some merit from an in-state option. Living off campus this year at Rowan, we have no merit, we’re well under $20k for the entire year
I get many kids don’t want to stay in state, and I don’t consider the NJ state schools “cheap” by any means, but for the quality of education and compared to other schools, it’s not completely out of whack.